Being

persistent seems to be working... Things turned out well after long heart to heart talks and spending some precious time together. Out in the open the things needs to be changed and things need not to be changed. Dating all over again is fun. I thought I can no longer handle the dating scene anymore. Falling in love again and again is an awesome feeling. Especially being in love to the same person I have known for so long... The road maybe rough from time to time but I'm glad neither of us gave up...yet! More and more work and effort to do...It's hard but possible.

I've been

... fumblin' for words
through the tears and the hurt and the pain...

...and if love is really forever
i'm a winner at a losing game...

Hoping all the

awkwardness...not so comfortable feelings... will not lasts...

december 2007

dec 3, dec 6 - santa's secret shop
dec 5 - wed - 6:45-8:00pm - rel ed
dec 10 - mon - confession - 6:30pm
dec 10-24 - 8am-2:45pm - fhosp
dec 11 - tues - christmas musical
dec 12 - wed - rel ed - not able to go...
dec 12 - wed - shopped - stuff for tn mall & wm
- b got a new eyeglasses
dec 14 - fri - fedex to TN - $17
***emtnly wrecked***
dec 17-18 - r's midterms in reading and math
dec 19 - wed - 6:45-8:00pm - christmas celebration - z's rel ed - bingo and pizza
dec 20 - thur - r's last day of school
- christmas party at school
dec 21 - fri - last day of extern ...what a struggle...having to endure everything in my pl...
dec 22 - sat - 11am-3pm - children's holiday party - facility - a visit from Santa and children 10 and under will receive a toy bag
dec 26 & jan 2 - no rel ed
dec 24 - jan 4 - christmas vacation

-no sacramental catechesis in dec...there will be 3 sessions in January

Hang out at

Panera today...free wifi...took 2 quizzes in my online class...

Eyeglasses

Reina just had her eyeglasses in less than a month and it's broken already! That's her second one just for this year!!! She lost her first one somewhere with her purse. Got to go back and see if it's covered with a warranty. Our vision insurance will cover only once in a year.

Thanksgiving Prayer

For each new morning with it's light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson-

Cramming

not enough time left...too many chapters...quizzes...exams... and more modules plus externship...2 weeks just went by and wasted!!!

Florida History Festival

Each students in R's class were required to choose a topic and write a report in their Social Studies. They also participated in the Florida History Fair. It was held at the social hall at their school. The students were dressed up, had props and explained to younger students all kinds of interesting facts about Florida History. R wrote a report about Daytona 500 and racing in Florida.

The following were the guidelines:
- 3 pages, typed using font 14 and double spaced
- must create a visual fair like posters, costumes, food, dioramas
- explain their research to other students through visuals and knowledge
- prepare a short speech...use index cards...less nervous when the visitors arrive
- must turn in a written report
- receive a grade for the report and performance at the fair
- expected to act professionally, polite and informative...

She was happy when she came home. She got an A on her project. Good job Reina!

Christmas Musical

The Mystery of Simon Shepherd on Dec 11, Tuesday at 7pm in the social hall. Reina's costume suggestion for her character is a white or black sweat suit. Practice the solo... I have to make sure to fully charge the video cam and b's canon eos digital slr for awesome pictures.

Wanted

to renew Bridge of Terabitha and Ghost Rider which I borrowed last week but the library won't let me. I had it for seven days but I just can't find the time to watch it. Oh well, I can borrow it again next time. I watched Catch and Release last night before going to bed. I thought it was good but it was just a waste of my time.

Citizenship

Finally, I made it to this point. No more dealing with the INS for now unless I will start petitioning my folks back home which is not on my/their agenda right at this time. To sum it up, I would say it was an easy road to my citizenship. Just simply follow and submit the requirements and show up on your appointments and of course pay the exorbitant fees and pass the test and you’re set. The oath taking ceremony is another story. I was one of the two hundred sixty two people sworn in today from fifty different countries. The excitement was in the air and people were waving flags and singing the song with the video presentation “Proud to be an American” with such emotion. The person next to me was from Guyana and seems like he memorized by heart the Oath and Pledge of Allegiance. I was impressed! It was a touching moment especially during the first part of the program where a video was shown “Faces of America” with different immigrants with their testimonies on how it was to be naturalized and live in a new adopted country. I can’t help but feel nostalgic and sentimental. It is a normal part of my transition process and of course I am proud to be where I am right now. It’s such an honor to be a blue passport holder. The privileges are endless. But that’s not it! Dual citizenship here I come!!!

My timeline:

November 24, 2006 – mailed my application form N-400. I paid $400.00 total including biometric fee. Now it will cost the applicants $675.00 starting last July 2007. What an increased!!! The following week I received a notice from the INS that they received my application.

February 15,2007 – fingerprinting
You will get in the mail the date, place and time for fingerprinting. Bring the appointment letter with you. Once you get there, you will receive a booklet “A Guide to Naturalization”. It has sample questions an officer might ask you during the interview. The booklet comes with an audio CD also.

September 13, 2007 – test/interview
In order to passed the interview, you are required to correctly answer 6 out of 10 questions. Once you get 6 questions right, they won’t bother to ask you the rest of the 4 remaining questions. You are also asked to write a sentence in English and asked you to read a sentence orally. Recently, the INS came out a Redisigned Naturalization Test. It includes a new lists of history and government questions. Visit their website www.uscis.gov for more information.

November 15, 2007 – oath taking
You will received in the mail the date and place of your oath taking. Dressed nicely and make sure you get a lot of pictures:)

Today is one

of those days when I need to go out but I am not in the mood to go anywhere. I have an event to attend tomorrow and I feel like I need a new outfit to wear or just having another good excuse to go shopping but I am too tired to go to the mall. I also have some freebies from Victoria Secret and a $10 off from JC Penney and Macy's but I just don’t feel like going to the mall right now. I have to use these coupons before their expiration date. I don't know if it’s because I have to drive in this so called traffic during the rush hour or I’m just plain tired which I am lately. The day is not over yet so I still have time if ever I decided to go out or I will probably end up staring at my closet wondering what goes well with my Ferragamo shoes. I am pretty sure I can find something...

went to

dinner with b and i just settled for this...
i was not hungry at all...

so

tired...got up for church...homily was about martyrdom and marriage...got a funny look from b:)

Chargers and Colts are playing tonight. How exciting!!!

how far can

my patience go???? it's been stretched to its limits...all because of these...

my new laptop

b came home early so i was able to go to borders and read while he took care of the kids up to their bed time...had to go to albertsons afterwards to get some stuff before it closed at 11pm...

calendar reminder

nov 07 - wedn - 6:45pm-8pm - rel ed
r's dismissal at 12 noon - extended care-picked at 2pm-$5/hr
par-teacher conf - wait for the next one
nov 08 - thurs - hands-on-theatre-$7 due;
cupcakes for r's school
nov 09 - friday - no school - fall festival - reina's bday
nov 9-10 - fall festival
nov 10 - sat - 3pm-6pm - vol for fall fest
nov 13 -tues - 6:30pm - science night
cubs meeting also at 6:30-7:30pm
bake sale D-G is donuts - vol?
nov 14 - wedn -6:45pm-8pm - rel ed
nov 15 - thursday - 6:30pm-7:45pm - penance - Rev. David Kasmerick;
citizenship oath taking
nov 16 - fri - 2pm - blue ribbon celebration - congratulations St. Charles!
nov 17 - sat - b and z to jacksonville at 4pm
nov 18 - sun - jaguars vs chargers at 1pm - jacksonville
nov 19 - monday - 8:30am-10:15am - florida history fair - project due
nov 20 - tuesday - hands-on-theatre -orlando historical society visiting;
cubs meeting;
r's thanksgiving party
nov 21 - wed - no rel ed - thanksgiving mass
nov 22 - thursday - happy thanksgiving everyone!!!
nov 21/wed-23/fri - no school for r - thanksgiving holiday...pie social outside church after mass
nov 24 - sat - library
nov 26 - mon - 6-7pm - pack meeting
nov 27 - tue - sally foster mega party
nov 28 - wedn - r's progress report
rel ed - 6:45 - 8pm
nov 29 - thursday - 6:30pm-7:45 pm -absolution - Rev. David Kasmerick;
cupcakes for z's class;
happy birthday zach!!!

along a

journey we commonly forget it's goal...
almost every vocation is chosen and entered
upon as a means to a purpose but is ultimately
continued as a final purpose in itself...

Friedrich Neitzsche

notes for tues

call for fall festival
dep -b offered to do it
pb - settled and done
cubs meeting

too excited to

go to sleep...find out why later...

conversation

in the car while sitting in the traffic after picking up reina from school:

zach: mom i want a psp for christmas
me: what? do u know how much it costs? that's $200 plus the games...
zach: but mom! i'm going to ask santa to bring it for me...
me: zach i don't think santa can afford that...think about all the kids in the world
zach: well santa does not need money to buy it...the elves can make it
reina: zach, the elves need money to get the parts to make it...
zach: no reina, they can make that too!!!
me: can we just discuss this next time zach or you can talk to dad about this
zach: ok mom...

well, reina was trying to reason out with me. she knows how expensive it is and she has her own agenda too! it's her birthday next week and she wants a pink nintendo ds and a nintendogs game. and on christmas, she wants a pink ipod nano and a pink cellphone...she's actually more expensive compared to zach! that's all i can say since reina reads my blog:)

wow!!!

it's november already???? time flies so fast...i went to school today, of course after dropping the kids to their school. For some reason i feel so tired and i almost fall asleep in my desk that i have to get out and get some fresh air outside the classroom.

trick or treat

went to l's house for halloween party...then went treat or tricking in the neighborhood...there's school the next day so we wrap up earlier than usual...the best thing it did not rain...

reina as harvest witch

power ranger and harvest witch

some of the loot

r's report card

got it today and guess it's her turn for a trip to the store to claim her prize...keep up the good work reina!!!

back to

borders from 7:30pm-10:45pm...had a large chocolate javakula and a small decaf...b took care of the kids so i enjoyed an uninterrupted reading moment...

oppsie

arrived at the place where the pack meeting was supposed to be held and notice that kids were already outside the building...found out that the meeting was already over and we were waaaaay toooooo late...i got the time schedule wrong like an hour late...zach was disappointed but he felt better when he was able to recite outside with the scout leader stuff that he needs for his badge...and i'll get a pin too...yay!!!

out of sync

saw lance bass of one of the most popular boy band n'sync for his book signing at borders last night...i did not buy his book but many did and stayed in line for autograph and one on one picture taking with him...he seemed very nice and cute...

well, got a table and back to the chapter where i am currently stuck with right now...very loooong chapter...got my usual half decaf-half caffeine hot brewed coffee and a sample of orange-mango cremekula...

breakfast

oscar mayer bacon
smithfield smoked steak ham
scramble eggs
steamed white rice
english muffins
milk for r
orange juice for z
coke zero??? for b?

take a break

we grow because we struggle,
we learn and overcome...
r.c.allen

kids and school

got z's report card today during the parent-teacher conference...did great in all his subjects...did super on his reading comprehension lexile score...and he is very serious with his " reading counts" program...good job zach!!! how about a trip to the toy department!!!

for the last few weeks, after auditions and call backs and another call backs, reina did not get the part that she wanted...she displayed a very good attitude in dealing with the rejection especially it was her first time not getting what she's auditioning for ... the good news ...her music teacher just told her today that she's going to have a solo in the play...she's happy and everything turns out well...good luck girl!

went to

get another pair of r's eyeglasses since she lost the other one...hopefully she won't lose this as quickly as the previous one...

dinner

at crispers...this is the second time that i've been craving crisper's flat bread...i ordered asiago beef this time...and of course with my ceasar's salad...loved it! kids got their usual mac and cheese and pineapple on the side...

this week

oct 22 - mon - reina no school
pack meeting - evening - i still have to find out the time
oct 23 - tues - no school for reina;
glasses;
cubs meeting - 6:30-7:30pm
oct 24 - wedn - parent - teacher conference - 5:45pm;
rel ed - 6:45 - 8pm
oct 25 - thurs - school all day - print some more modules - should be finished with icd 9 ;
topic 'confession' with speaker Rev. Gilbert - 6:30-7:30pm
oct 26 - fri - no school for zach

another weekend

took the kids to the park...gotta use those energy...

bought another

book on insurance and sign up online...paid $106 including four of my fav mechanical pencils...

will post soon

the timeline for my application for citizenship...received in the mail today my notice of naturalization oath ceremony...another reason to celebrate...

got up

early and dropped reina to school around 6am for their field trip to St. Augustine...so excited and was really looking forward for this trip...got back at past 7pm... with a headache...

she had $11 left from the $20 pocket money...bought herself for souvenir a silver necklace and a magnet for me...she surely had fun visiting a lot of historical and interesting places...

contrition

kids did great...
lighting of the candle...
started with the reading of the gospel and homily at the church and proceeded to the bishop grady hall where Father Bob deliver a very inspiring speech...

reflection
...it's not about our sins but God's forgiveness...
...we can never be our own Savior...ultimate dependence upon God...
...it's ok not to be perfect...seek the source of perfectness...

question of the week:
when have i seen the healing presence of God active in my life? what was my response?
quando he visto la presencia sanadora de Dios activa en mi vida? cual fue mi respuesta?

next session will be confession
October 25 - thursday - 6:30-7:45pm

birthday girl

4 u gee...

i hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow
and each road leads you where you wanna go
and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
i hope you choose the one that means the most to you
and if one door open to another door closed
i hope you'll keep on walkin' till you find the window
if it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile
but more than anything, more than anything...

my wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
you never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to
i hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
yeah, this is my wish

i hope you never look back, but you never forget
all the ones who loves you, in the place you left
i hope you always forgive, and you never regret
and you help somebody every chance you get
oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake
and always give more than you take...

rascall flatts

after picking up...

the kids from school...sure enough my lights are on again and time to fill up my tank with gasoline...

then did homework at borders...plus more reading...had a small cup of half decaf and half caffeine coffee this time and a decaf refill after...left at past 5pm and got some food at burger king and had it to go...ate at home...

stayed with z for 15 minutes on his rel ed class and did some errands after...dropped the movies i rented at hollywood and got some cheddar cheese and a gallon of milk at publix since it's just next door...then drove to kmart to get r's disposable camera...cases of bottled water and 2 bottles of 2 ltr coke...picked z around 8pm...

filled up some orders for z's fundraising...

hayyyyy

tulog na ko...
finish ch 13 later...

what

i had today...vanilla ice coffee...that's a lot of caffeine...good luck in my sleep tonight...that if i get any...

i'm lovin' it...

one weekend afternoon

someone is checking me out


let me cover my tummy

and got some bunny ears from z


and more bunny ears from b

this week

oct 15-16 -3-4pm mon & tues- homework session
oct 16 - tuesday 6:30pm - cubscout meeting...work on the badge, don't forget to bring back the flag
oct 17 - wednesday - 6:45 - 8:00pm - rel ed
geegay's bday
oct 18 - thursday - 6:30 - 7:45pm - contrition - Rev. Robert Webster
school from 8am to 2:30pm...pick up kids...wm for ch
oct 19 - friday - no school - so happy i don't have to get up early

buy disposable cam for reina's fieldtrip
finish the module
return videos at hollywood...library

shop around for a new sony laptop...mine is 4 yrs old... it has full of upgrades and still works but i'm ready for a new vaio...with a built-in wireless connection, mic & cam...

zach is using it

mon

renewal with fee
pics of grad, dev, email
mail c
pick meds/check

itbs testing

read ch 9

lights on

time to get gas...paid $45 plus change...driving around/from/to schools, work, library, supermarkets...book stores, mall, parks...it will barely last for 2 wks...

supposed

to do some errands after picking up the kids from school but z was about to throw up in the car ...he was not feeling well...
ended up cooking dinner (lauyang bukog sa baboy with spinach)...

r's has four test tomorrow...religion, reading, science, spelling

o & m

graduation ceremony...celebration...

Rumpelstiltskin

0ct. 08 - 10:15am - bob carr auditorium presented by orlando ballet studio

have to

borrow daddy's hair gel to smooth zach's spiky hair for picture day in school...

field trip

to St. Augustine...$65 fee plus pocket money - 6:00am - 7pm
sneakers are allowed but must wear school uniform
disposable camera...
return form on 10/10/2007

went

to church today with r...
b & z are coughing...

things

to do today...
return videos
library
binder

onward

to cardiology...

kids did homework at borders...

got to

finish 2 chapters - musculoskeletal & respiratory

borders with the kids; michaels

in the mood to do some crafts...

kids progress reports last week...
both got excellent grades...me happy!!!

last night

watched sandra bollock's movie "premonition"...
funny but i had to go with b to get his icee afterwards...

attended

z's cub scout 1st pack meeting 6:30-8:10pm
that was fun...
ordered handbook - wolf - $6.69

new

header...a view from the white island in camiguin

thurs

was advisory meeting...
attended webcast AHIMA - new ICD-9 updates for 2008
submitted 3 reports - levothyroxine, peptic ulcer and typhoid fever
background check for externship

more sched

sept 20 - thursday - open house & book fair
sep 24 - monday- sally foster deadline
sept 27 - thursday - 9am - b's dental appt
oct 2 - tuesday - z's pic day
oct 3 - wedn - 5:30-7:00 pm -administration office conference rm - fingerprinting session
nov 5 - 8am - dentist

cub scout sched

sept 24th - monday - 1st pack meeting
oct 13th - sat - cub family campout (1 night)
oct 19th - 21st -wed to fri - cub halloween campout

passed

with flying colors...next is oath taking...
some ?s
What are the colors of the flag? red, white & blue
How many justices in the supreme court? nine
What are the three branches of our government? legislative, judicial & executive
What is the supreme law of the United States? constitution

3:47 am

and i haven't gone to bed yet...chapter 2 was just too looooooong...

Keith Urban - You'll Think of Me (Best Live Performance)

I've been to one of his concert and enjoyed it so much. He put true and so much emotions on his songs.

finally

took my finals in anatomy last friday and got a 100%...

it's been

2 wks since we're back from our vacation from the phils...i still have to download pics and write something about it...

sign

up for online class today...
test on diagnostic...
ready for finals finally...

impt dates

sept 3rd - monday - no school - labor day
sept 4th - tuesday - 4th grade open house - 7pm in the social hall
--pay r's tuition fee
sept 5th - wedn - picture day - fill out the envelope + payment
sept 6th - r's bday
sept 13th - thursday - 10am -verrrrrrrrrrry impt
--bake sale -D-G- donuts
oct 4th - thursday - bishop grady hall

swap shop opened at 7:30 am on the first and third wedn of each month beginning sept

purchased a yearbook by nov and pay $35

i can't

believe it! but i dropped my cellphone in the toilet...right after i flushed it!!!!!!!!! good bye phone...now i have to look if there's anything on sale for a new phone........not to mention all the #s lost..........

back

to school...
dropped reina to school...half day...took 30 mins carpooling just for picking her up...too loooong...
z's meet the teacher day...
school supplies list...
not feeling good...sore throat...colds and terrible headache since yesterday...
do groceries later...

just

got back from phils trip today...

thurs

bal check b
eyeg
mail
ro
clean den
toys
cnds

4th of july

late

pics of cora's visit from ohio...

06/21/07 - picked them at the airport...thx w...
dinner at mindanao cafe...
dropped luggage at the hotel and picked up d to go to city walk...
06/23/07 - tour wp ave...farmers market
ate at mc again...
bought some desserts and some sud-an at degu...

transformer

bryant and zach watched the movie "transformer" around 11:30 last night... came home almost 3am with a big smile...

one night get-away

stayed at vacation village at parkway in kissimmee last thursday ...swimming...karaoke...

dinner at macaroni grill...love their food
breakfast at dennys...
nike outlet store...
ross
mellinea mall...people were lining up outside apple store and att to purchased iphone...
dropped c...
home around 8:30 pm...

many thx to c & fam for the accommodation...we surely had fun...

back

to my reading...i'm soooooooooooooo behind...

meet...

at wm parking lot around 12 noon...
del from IN...
following c's car up to their house for lunch...
ate tinola, beefstik, bihon, pork adobo and ube ice cream...
picked kalamansi in their backyard...
siopao from co of i
drove back to wp
postoffice
borders
ulta...bare mineral make -up... + BAN JI orange peel soap from ca...thx...
ate pizza at the village
l followed...it's d & l 31st wedding anniversary...wow...congratulations
went to wp avenue...
visited the church
rose garden
bought some ice cream at albertson
went home for dinner
got out again and dropped k around 10:30pm